Mormon Temple Takes Part in Gabii sa Kabilin

As part of the Philippines National Heritage Month, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) featured the Cebu City Philippines Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Church) in the recently concluded Gabii Sa Kabilin event of Cebu City. Inspired by the Lange Nacht der Museen or Long Night of the Museums in Germany and other European countries, the Gabii sa Kabilin is intended to showcase and highlight the cultural heritage of Cebu City. 

Now on its sixth year, the Gabii sa Kabilin event is the only cultural event of its kind in the Philippines and Asia.  According to RAFI, the Gabii sa Kabilin aims to encourage the public to visit museums and understand their position as a venue for cultural understanding. During this celebration, museums and other participating cultural places remained open late into the night.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is commonly known in the public as the Mormon Church.

Visitors to the Cebu City Philippines Temple were toured around the temple complex by a volunteer group of Church members. The 40 minute tour was designed to explain to visitors the beliefs of the Church. Rhea Bautista, the public affairs contact for the Church, estimated around 400 people visited the temple complex.

Highlights of the tour included an explanation of the role of Jesus Christ and the Angel Moroni in Church temples. Visitors were also taken to the Family History Center located in the Patron House where they were shown samples of family history records and how they can start compiling their own genealogical history. 

Elder Cesar Perez, a senior leader of the Church, said that the inclusion of the Cebu City Philippines Temple as a cultural landmark in the Gabii sa Kabilin event is a great honor. He also said that the Church is emphasizing programs that strengthen family ties. He believes that this will help build stronger communities.